How The iPhone 4 Can Change Communication
By now, you have absolutely heard about the iPhone 4. Apple's new phone has really changed the game when it comes to communication and technology in the palm of your hand. This technology is also breaking down barriers for people with disabilities. A feature on the iPhone 4, called FaceTime, enables mobile-to-mobile video chatting. This is a wonderful feature for deaf users of the phone, as they will be able to sign to each other, or gives a deaf person the ability to read the lips of the person they are speaking with.
Apple has also announced that they have partnered with ZVRS, a company that provides video relay services. A relay service is used to enable communication between someone with hearing, and someone who is deaf. This will enable a deaf person to sign with the relay service operator, while the operator can speak to the person on the other end of the line. This is truly a great technological advancement, and definitely enhances the ability for deaf people to communicate on the go!
Don’t Be Afraid To Eat Soup With A Fork
A good friend of mine, Christopher Rathje, has just published his first book! This book is titled 'Don't be Afraid to Eat Soup With a Fork' and is a compilation of short stories written by Chris. The book has some very positive messages that deal with Chris growing up with Cerebral Palsy, and lessons he has learned along the way! This is truly a book that anyone can benefit from, and will truly help you realize that anything is possible as long as you have the right attitude!
Visit his website, http://chrisrathje.com!
Charlie Wilks
You have to watch this video. This kid truly is amazing. Charlie Wilks is a football player, who happens to also be blind. Charlie is truly wise beyond his years, and watching this video will definitely make you appreciate his great attitude.
I think it's great the way his teammates have adapted the way they play to assist him, and make it possible for him to be competitive. Football is a team sport, and without such great teammates and coaches it would really be impossible for him to be able to do what he does.
Escalator Fail #2
People in wheelchairs aren't the only ones that have trouble with escalators.
Glee: Wheels
In the latest episode of Glee, the Glee Club members put on a bake sale to raise money to pay for an accessible bus for Artie, the Glee club member that's in a wheelchair. In addition, the Glee club members must spend 3 hours a day using a wheelchair, to prepare for their new dance number - which will be done from a wheelchair. The club puts together a pretty impressive dance number and gets a small taste of what it's like to use a wheelchair on a daily basis. Missed the episode? Don't worry, you can watch the entire episode after the jump!
Up Yours, Walking Losers!
This is a video of 'sit down comic', Jesper Odelberg, and his band 'Boys on Wheels'. These guys are hilarious, enjoy the video!
Benefits of E-Readers
E-Readers can be very beneficial for someone with a disability. Not only can you zoom-in on the text for people that have visual impairments, but the fact that an e-reader can store over 1,500 books adds many benefits. Perfect for any college student with a disability, no longer will you have to drag around a back-pack full of books, or fumble with the book as you try to turn pages.
The current 'king' of the e-reader market is Amazon's Kindle [$260]. Coming in at only 1/3 of an inch thick, it's roughly the size of your average magazine. Built-in 3G wireless let's you download books any time, any place. With storage for up to 1,500 books, you won't worry about lugging a backpack full of books from class to class. With over 360,000 books, you're sure to find what you're looking for.
As our society rapidly moves towards a more paperless world, it only makes sense that Barnes & Noble would try to make their mark and steal some of that market share away from Amazon. B&N recently announced the release of their new e-reader, Nook. Utilizing Google’s android operating system, this puppy sports two screens – one e-Ink, and one color touch screen. Nook also features built in 3G wireless networking, storage for up to 1,500 books, and thousands of books available for free. The price to get all of these features? $260, and will be shipping around November 30th.
Wounded Warriors Hoop it up in Georgia
A group of soldiers from the Wounded Warrior Project participated in a game of wheelchair basketball against a group of Sergeants. The group of athletes are a part of the Warrior Transition Battalion, which is an organization that was found with the purpose of improving the quality of life and facilitating the rehabilitation of wounded warriors. Participating in events like wheelchair basketball is a key part to any rehabilitation effort, it's a great way for newly injured people to meet other people with disabilities, and realize that you can be athletic and competitive regardless of a disability or not.
Books, Books, Books!
From time to time I will be passing on various books that I think are relevant to the readers of this site. Today I have two books to recommend. The first is Gimp [$14] by Mark Zupan. For anyone that has seen the film Murderball you will remember Mark Zupan. This book provides the story of how Mark was injured, and his attitude towards having a disability. This book does a great job at addressing one of my favorite topics; how one can take a bad situation, and turn it into something really good.
Another book recommendation after the jump!
Illini Win Big
The University of Illinois Men's and Women's wheelchair basketball teams both started their seasons off this weekend, and both went undefeated. The Men won all 4 of their games by an average of 50 points, defeating the RHI Pacers 98-45, the Milwaukee Wheelchair Bucks 96-51, the Chicago Wheelchair Bulls 82-33, and the Rockford Chariots 69-17.
The Women won both of their games against the Chicago Sky by an average of 28 points (54-24 and 51-24).
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